Ryan Ellis

After being a major disappointment for much of the previous two seasons (just 17 points in 64 games combined), Ellis finally started to show signs of putting it all together in 2013-14. He played in close to a full season for the first time (80 games) and posted 27 points (s...

General manager David Poile said that Ellis will sit out a third straight game Tuesday against the Sharks, John Glennon of The Tennessean reports. Poile noted that Ellis, who returned from a lower-body injury last week against the Wild, "didn't have a lot of speed in his game" in his return and was in need of more rest.

Expectations were high for Ellis last season, as he was tabbed early on as one of the favorites to line up alongside Shea Weber following the departure of Ryan Suter. However, it turned out to be a disappointing campaign for Ellis. He missed the first half of the season with a broken wrist and then registered just six points in 33 games the rest of the way while playing mostly on the team's third defensive pairing. Looking ahead, Ellis could find himself as little more than a depth player come October, particularly with the Preds' first-round draft pick Seth Jones expected to open the season with the big club.

2012-13

The 2012-13 season could be a pivotal one for Ellis. With Ryan Suter having departed for Minnesota as a free agent, the Preds will certainly be looking for someone to fill his skates on the team's top defensive pairing alongside Shea Weber. Ellis certainly has the scoring touch to fill that role -- particularly on the power play -- so be ready to bump him up a few notches on your draft sheets come October. At the very least, expect Ellis to play a regular role for the Preds next season after scoring 11 points in 32 games in 2011-12.

2011-12

Ellis put up some impressive numbers last season - his last year of junior - posting 101 points in just 58 games. He was the first defender in the OHL to break the century mark in points in 17 years and the first blueliner to nab Player of the Year since Brian Campbell did it way back in 1998-99. With a solid training camp, he may prove he's ready to jump directly into the NHL. Otherwise, he will likely open the season at the AHL level, but the kid will eventually crack the Preds' lineup for good - he's about as blue-chip as they come.

2010-11

Nashville's top pick in the 2009 Entry Draft had 61 regular-season points for the OHL's Windsor Spitfires last year, as well as 38 points in 23 playoff games. The Predators' brass likes what it sees in Ellis, but they are not going to rush the 19-year-old into active duty before he's ready. It will probably be another season or two before you see Ellis at the NHL level, but he'll get there. He projects as a top-four defenseman who can move the puck as well as quarterback the power play.